From the way Nita’s jaw dropped, Iyana realized that their eldest son had never spoken to them like this before.
“That’s fine, son,” Saram said calmly.The queen’s head snapped to her husband, fire in her eyes.“If the three of you want to do this to better our world, I won’t stop you.I only want all of you to return to us in one piece.Understood?”
Zahar gave his father a curt nod and faced Iyana and Emmeric again.Saram and Nita also resettled in their chairs, their faces again the perfect picture of calm sophistication.
“Since you have convinced Istora to join, you will have the use of our army, as promised,” Nita said sharply.“Let it not be said that Nyr does not uphold their word.”
Kaz frowned at her mother’s words, and Iyana had to hold in a scoff.The only reason they were holding themselves to their previous promise—which they obviously never thought they’d be able to convince Camilia—was because Zahar had forced their hand.She and Emmeric were clearly dismissed, so she nodded to Zahar and Kaz—they were the only two in that room who had earned her respect.Nita was practically fuming, but Iyana felt her magic stirring underneath her skin, and she knew if she had to deal with the queen any further, then she was likely to lose control.
Turning on her heel, she and Emmeric stalked out of the throne room.
Training.Now,she sent to Em.I feel the need to hit something.
Chapter 62
Emmeric
AsIyanawalkedangrilydown the hallway towards the training arena, Emmeric had to mentally shake himself before jogging to catch up with her.
Watching her take on royalty like that, without backing down or showing any of the nerves he knew she was feeling, was awe-inspiring.Emmeric couldn’t believe that out of everybody, Iyana had chosen him.He would cherish this amazing woman for the rest of her life if she’d let him.
He had wanted to take her right there in the throne room, not caring who would have seen or what they would have thought.That desire still coursed through him, and there was no way he’d be able to focus on training.While he knew that Iyana was frustrated and wanted to work it out with exercise (something he never thought would happen) there was more than one way to drive out that aggression.
And there just so happened to be a perfect little alcove ahead that was obstructed by a potted plant with large green leaves.Emmeric finally caught up to her and, grabbing her upper arm, hauled her into the private space.
“What—” she started, but he had her backed against the wall as he kissed her, claiming her lips.Emmeric couldn’t help himself after the way she had stood up for herself, and then she had the audacity to be gorgeous on top of it.Her lips were insanely bitable, so he did just that, pulling her lower lip between his teeth.
“Em,” she panted.“We’re in the middle of a godsdamn hallway.”
“Nobody can see us,” he murmured, spinning her around so her front was pressed against the cool wood of the wall.He lifted her arms above her head and pinned them there with one hand, trailing the other hand down her breast until he could splay his hand across her abdomen.Trailing his lips up her neck, Emmeric stopped at her ear, nipping at the lobe.
“I need you,” he groaned.Iyana whimpered in reply, but she didn’t voice any more objections.“Remember plantains.”She nodded, and that was the permission Emmeric needed to continue.
His hand on her stomach wandered lower, delving underneath her trousers.Emmeric moaned when he found her soaking and ready for him.He circled her sensitive clit a couple of times before inserting two fingers, readying her for his body.Because this wasn’t going to be slow and loving.No, Emmeric needed to take her fast and hard—make her come so forcefully that the only thing she’d be able to think about during training would be him.His fingers, his tongue, his cock.He’d worship her body properly later.
Letting go of her hands, he shoved her pants down first, then his own, and fisted his hard cock at the base.Iyana moaned and pressed her ass back into him, begging for more.She didn’t have to ask; he’d give her anything she wanted.
Emmeric rubbed himself over her entrance until she was practically writhing beneath him.Then, with one smooth thrust, he filled her completely.Wrapping an arm around her waist, he tugged Iyana closer to him so that she was on her tiptoes.But, gods, that angle was so right.Emmeric bit down on her shoulder to keep himself from moaning too loud and alerting anyone else to what they were doing.
As he slid himself inside of her warm, tight pussy, Emmeric used his other hand to push on that sensitive bundle of nerves.Iyana was panting, meeting his every movement with one of her own.The pleasure built in the base of his spine, and he picked up his pace.He wasn’t going to last, but this wasn’t about time.This was about proving to Iyana that he loved all the little pieces of her—even the ones that she didn’t love within herself, like her stubbornness and anger.He wanted all of her.
Emmeric increased the pressure on her clit, and when Iyana bit her own lip as she came, her walls tightening and spasming around him, he followed her off that cliff.When they came down from their orgasm, Emmeric took a minute to simply hold her in his arms and keep her close.With everything that needed to happen to prepare for the war and the uncertainty of their future, he didn’t know how many quiet moments he’d be able to have with her.
Eventually, they couldn’t wait any longer.Emmeric pulled both of their trousers up and made sure Iyana was steady on her feet.He pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, then rested his brow on hers, closing his eyes.“I love you,” he whispered, placing another ghost of a kiss on her forehead.Now that he had said it once, he found himself wanting to tell her all the time.
Before she could say anything back, Emmeric grabbed her hand and interwove their fingers together, leading her towards where they would be training.He sensed she still was wary about voicing her feelings for him, but that was okay.Because he could feel it.It was impossible for Iyana to hide everything from him, and there was no doubting the love flowing from her.
“Godsdamn,whattookyoutwo so long?”Talon asked when they finally walked into the training arena.“We’ve been waiting for ages.”
“They were fucking in the hallway,” Kaz said, balancing a dagger on her fingertip.
“Kaz!”Emmeric yelled.Iyana blushed next to him and covered her face with her hands.Kaz tossed the dagger up and caught it by the hilt.
“Oh, was that supposed to be a secret?Because you were very obviously fucking in that alcove when I walked past.Other people noticed, too.”
“Phaedros take me now,” Iyana murmured.
“So maybe if you want it to be a secret next time, you should take it somewhere less public.”The shifter raised her hands.“But please don’t do it for my benefit.It’s only sweetcheeks there looks like she wants to melt out of her skin.”
